In 1972 UNESCO adopted the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention, which aims to protect heritage properties of outstanding universal value. In 1976, the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Fund, as determined by the text of the Convention, were established. In 1979, the first inscriptions of properties on the World Heritage List were made. In 1992, the World Heritage Centre was established, an autonomous body of the UNESCO Secretariat charged with the administrative management of matters related to the World Heritage Convention.
Portugal deposited its instrument of ratification on 30 September 1980.
Portugal has 17 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. Find out more by clicking on each one:
- Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (1983)
- Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (1983)
- Monastery of Batalha (1983)
- Convent of Christ in Tomar (1983)
- Historic Centre of Évora (1986)
- Monastery of Alcobaça (1989)
- Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)
- Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar (1996)
- Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde (1998, 2010)
- Laurisilva of Madeira (1999)
- Historic Centre of Guimarães (2001)
- Alto Douro Wine Region (2001)
- Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (2004)
- Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications (2012)
- University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (2013)
- Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada) (2019)
- Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga (2019)
See here the World Heritage List.
Find out more at the website of the UNESCO National Commission in Portugal.